Bhiwandi: The municipal election campaign in Bhiwandi took an ugly turn on Wednesday night after supporters of BJP MLA Mahesh Choughule allegedly stormed a public meeting of the Konark Vikas Aghadi (KVA) in Ward No. 1, abused women workers and threatened candidates, triggering chaos despite the presence of Police. The incident occurred at Kombadpada’s Ganpati Temple premises, where KVA candidates former mayors Pratibha Patil and Vilas Patil, along with Neha Kathawale and Adv. Mayuresh Patil — were holding a permitted “corner meeting”.
According to the complaint filed by KVA worker Sapna Bhoir, around 10–12 supporters of BJP MLA Mahesh Choughule, led by local BJP office-bearer Bhavesh Patil, barged into the gathering, hurled abuses at women attendees and issued threats, leading to a heated confrontation. Shockingly, the disturbance unfolded in full view of police personnel posted for security, who allegedly failed to intervene effectively.
As tensions escalated, KVA supporters were forced to dial 112, after which additional police teams arrived and restored order.
Late-Night Police Station Protest
Later that night, Pratibha Patil and her supporters marched to Nizampura Police Station demanding immediate action. When police delayed registering the case, protesters staged a sit-in outside the station, forcing officers to finally book an FIR.
Based on Sapna Bhoir’s complaint, police registered a case against Bhavesh Patil, Laxman Yadav, Sanju Adep, Wasim Bangali, Sachin Rathod, Agyan Khan, Milind Gawde, Arun Pal, Chetan Patil, Amar Kotha and others for abuse, intimidation and creating public disorder.
BJP Camp Hits Back, Files Counter-Complaint
Within hours, Bhavesh Patil lodged a counter-complaint, alleging that KVA leaders and supporters assaulted and abused him outside his residence around 8:45 pm.
Patil accused Pratibha Patil, Vilas Patil, Nitin Patil, Adv. Mayuresh Patil, Divesh Kharekar, Sapna Bhoir, Kirti Patil, Rakesh Nikam, Vishal Nikam and Ajay Patil’s wife of verbally abusing him, threatening to break his legs and warning him not to come near their meeting.
Police have registered a cross-FIR, taking the total number of accused in both cases to around 22 people.
Political Rivalry at the Heart of Clash
The clash has its roots in a bitter political rivalry. In Ward No. 1, BJP MLA Mahesh Choughule has fielded a panel led by his son Mit Choughule against the KVA candidates. Former mayor Vilas Patil had earlier contested the Assembly election against Mahesh Choughule, and relations between the two camps have remained hostile since.
Women Not Safe Under BJP Rule’
Condemning the incident Pratibha Patil said:
“Let political parties contest elections and seek votes. But adopting hooliganism through an MLA is shameful. The Chief Minister speaks of ‘Ladli Bahin’, but in Bhiwandi women are being abused and threatened. BJP MLA Mahesh Choughule is responsible.
She also accused the police of acting under pressure from the ruling party. With civic polls approaching, the twin FIRs have turned Ward No.1 into a political flashpoint, raising serious concerns about law and order and the safety of women during election campaigning in Bhiwandi.
